Toy



Apr. 11'., 1923. 1,152,109

` l.. R CENTERBAR TOY Filed Aug. 6, 19121 4 sheets-sheet 1 l I f /J r1 47 l I *i `s l K r (1 ll l5 fi /6 l UIL x l ,9 1

inve/won:-

LoREr/zo R. CEHrER/IR. BY

Apr. 17, 19.23.l

1,452,109 l.. R CENTERBAR TOY Filed Aug. 6, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 SWW Apr. 17, 1923'.

L. R CENTERBAR TOY Filed Aug. e, 1921 4 sheets-sheet /NvE/v TOR L oRaNzo R. cm1-:Raam BY:

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Apr. 17,1923.

L. R CENTERBAR TOY Filed Aug. G, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 62 i iQ* Fl' (1E/5 H TToR/YE YS.

Patented Apr. 17, 1923.

LORENZO B. CENTER/BAR, OF FITOHBUBJG, MASSACHUSETTS.

TOY.

Application 1aed August s, 1921.

T 0 all lio/20m t may concern:

Be it known that I, LORENZO R. CENTER- BAR, a citizen of the United States; residing at Fitchburg, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Toy, of which the following is a specification.

rlhis invention relates to a toy of the circus ring type in which toy animals or other objects are caused to travel around the ring and perform evolutions of certain kinds during their travel. The principal objects of the invention are to provide an improved arrangement for operating the toy animals as for example, horses, so as to cause them to have a motion ofv undulatingcharacter,

suc-h as a gallop; to provide an improved connection by which the toy animals are supported and the desired motion simulated or modified; to provide an improved way of mounting relatively movable hgures on the said toy animals so as to allow them to have separate and independent motion; to provic e means on the rotating arms which carry the toy animals or the like for detachably supporting the same and permitting of the folding up of the arms for packing purposes; and also to provide a collapsible and foldable track and frame for supporting` the entire device. Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be hadto the accompany ing drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan of atoy constructed in accordance with` this invention;

Fig..2 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central sectional view'on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 of one of the galloping horses shown in the first two figures, illustrating the connections of the same for producing a galloping` motion;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line l-ll of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a similar view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2 showing the figure supported above;

Fig'. 6 is a plan of `a pair ofthe rotating arms for supporting; the toy figures, showing' them in two positions;

7 is an end viewy of the same on enlarged scale;

Fig. 8 is a side view'of the concave side of. one of the sections ofthe track:

Fig. 9 is a similar view of a companion section;

Serial No. 490,219.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on enlarged scale on the line 10-10 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a similar view on the line 11-11 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the stationary arms for supporting the track on the line 12-12 of Fig. 1, illustrating the fastening device with which it is' supplied;

Fig. 18 is a plan View of the framework and motor casing for supporting the track, showing it in collapsed folded position;

.Fig. 11- is a side view of a modification;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view on the line 15 15 of Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 is a plan.

1 have shown the invention as comprising a motor casing` 10, the details of which will not be described herein, but having four arms 11, 12, 18, 14, radiating from the centerthereof. This motor casing is provided inside with a spring motor preferably with a key shaft 15 and a main shaft 16, both extending therethrough or located just under the top of the casing. The main shaft is located in the center p 'eferably, and the arms above described arelocated under the `casing which rests on them. One of these arms 12 is fixed to the bottom of the casing and it is cut awayon a slant along the line 17 to permit of the folding' of the parts into the position shown in Fig. 13. Two of the arms 11 and 13 are simply pivoted to the bottom of the casing and, in folding, swing back toward the stationary arm 12.

The fourth arm 14 is pivoted by means of lagainst longitudinal motion by abutting against the extreme end of the arm 12. The two pivoted arms are intended to be held by friction, the parts fitting together tightly enough for that purpose, and their ends are rounded so that they can be swung back and forthv for folding and expanding.

@n the `end of each of the arms 11, 12 Aand 18 is a transverse horizontal slit in which is riveted a metal plate 20. Each of these plates is bent upwardly and downwardly to provide flanges 21, these flanges being arcuate, and consisting of a part of the same circle when the arms are extended. The other arm 14 has also a similar longitudinal central slit 22 in which is adapted to be inserted a metal plate 23 similar to the plate 20 in every respect. This plate is held in position by a pivoted locking bar 24 having an upwardly extending iiange 25 and projecting flange Q6 in its own plane. The flange 25 lits over the flange 23 and holds it in place. This locking bar 24 is located on the bottom and therefore is held fixed when the parts are in use.

In the form indicated, the circular track is made up of four arcuate strips 30, all substantially alike and each one provided with .a horizontal central cross slit 3l in each end.

Theseslits are designed for application to the projecting ends of the several plates 2O in the manner indicated in Figs. l and 2. They fit frictionally. As stated. three of these plates 20 are all located on the radial arms above mentioned, and the fourth one is fixed to one of the arcuate strips as indicated in Fig. 9, and it is this one that enters the slit 22 in the arm 14 and is locked to it by the locking bar 24. lt will be seen that by this method of assembling` the complete track is formed by the four arcuate strips,

and preferably the ends of the four arms lo.

cated between each two adjacent ends or" the arcuate strips. The joints are securely held together by the plates 2O and, as one of these is locked by thev locking` bar 24, the whole construction is rigid and secure and yet it can be disconnected and folded up in a small compass in a very simple manner as has been indicated.

The central shaft 16 is shown as provided with a square or other non-circular upper end which is caused to rotate hy the operation of the motor.

I provide a simple means of securing` four cross arms to this and of course, any other even number in the following way. I pivot together two sheet metal bars 33 and 34. They are pivotedl together by a stud 35 located at the end of one of them and at a distance from the end of the other. that is. at a distance from the point midway between the ends of these bars when extended or brought into alignment. This causes the projecting end of the latter bar to overlap the bar when they are in alignment as shown in Fig. l. At exactly the center of, the com pound bar thus produced l provide a square hole 36 through each of the bars. these two sanare holes. of course, register with each other when the hars are brought ont straight as in Fig. l. This hole fits the square end of the shaft lfi and consequently. as that shaft turns. the compound bar will turn with it.` Furthermore, the pivot i5-and the shaft l() constitute two points of connection so that the two hars and 34 are firmly connected together. T have shown two pairs of these hars and consequently four arms.

The end of each of these bars, which are made of sheet metal7 is turned up to forni an end plate 37'. This is provided with a key slot 55S having a circular perforation and an upward offset comprising a rectangular slot 39. On the top each of these arms is provided with a locking lever 40 pivoted thereto and having an upwardly extending handle 4l and projecting tooth 42. This plate 37 is formed in this way for the purpose of conneet-ing it with a lever 43. This lever has a headed stud 44 of substantially the same size and shape as the circular perforation 38. It has a shank under the head of the same diameter as the width of the vertical extension 39 of the slot. The lever is of a. width equal to the distance between two projections 45 on the plate 37 and it is made of a piece of flat sheet metal. Tn assembling the head of the stud is rst introduced through the perforation 38 and then the lever 43 is raised in the vertical extension of the slot. The lever has a perforation 4G for receiving the projecting tooth 42 and locking the parts in position.

The upper end of this lever extends up into a slot in the bottom of the toy animal shown in the form of a horse 47 and is pivoted inside the body thereof.l so that the horse can swing on this pivot. At the loottom the lever 43 is provided with a( stud 4S on which is a wheel 49 freely rotatable. Eccentrically connected with this wheel is a link 50 which is also pivoted to the horse at a point at a considerable distance from the point of pivotal support of the lever 43. This wheel is intended to run around on the track as the arms rotate, carrying the horse with them. The link 50, being eccentrically connected with this wheel, forces the end of the figure 4'? with which it is connected to rise and fall. thus simulating a galloping motion. j

On one side of the figure 47 is a socket 5l in which is mounted a wire rod 52 preferably in vertical position. I have shown it as being doubled at the end so as to fit into this socket yieldingly and yet firmly. At the upper end this rod 52 is bent over to form a horizontal bar 53 on which is pivoted a toy figure 54 of any desired kind. In the present case this shown in the form of a doll or human figure. the feet of which are loted so as to escape the back of the horse 47.

Tn the use of the device the parts are connected up in the manner above indicated. the motor wound and the key withdrawn. The rotation of the shaft 16 by the motor causes the four arms 33 and 447 which are arranged in the form of a cross, to rotate with the lui) shaft as a whole. They necessarily carry with them the four gures 47, and cause the several wheels supporting them to roll along the track which produces a galloping motion of the horses. This swings the figures 54 around their pivots 53 so that they perform various actions. It will be noticed that the eccentricity of the connection of the link 50 to the wheel can be made differentin the case of the different figures so that the actions of these different figures AiT and 54 will not be uniform and will be subject to considerable variations.

In disrnounting` the device, the process of setting it up is gone through in reverse order and the parts can be folded up in small compass as indicated in Figs. 6 and 13 especially. Each of the track sections can be disconnectedfrom the rest of the apparatus. ln this way it can be packed and shipped very easily.

On the last sheet l have shown the invention in a form in which the parts are made so large that children can ride on the horse and furnish the motive power.v Tn this case no motor is used but a plurality of arms 62 radiate from a center and constitute a rotatable frame.

The end of eacharm 62 has fixed to it a lever or support 63 on which the figure 67 is pivoted. The lever 63 has a rotary shaft 68 at the bottom on which is fixed a supporting wheel 69 running on a circular track 70.

The child seated on a saddle operates with his hands a propelling lever 71. On this backward, or pulling, motion it draws up a chain 72 passing over an idler sprocket wheel 73 centered on the pivot by which the horse is mounted on the lever 63. This chain pulls up a ratchet pawl 74. which carries with it a ratchet wheel `"('5 fixed to the shaft 68. This rotates the wheel, or rolls it along the track. When the lever 71 is moved forward the eccentrically placed weight of the ratchet casing 76 descends. This motion allows the pawl 74 to ratchet back over the ratchet teeth ready for the next forward motion. As the several chil.- dren will not all pull in unison, the wheels will be kept traveling all the time. The link 50 has'the same effect as in Fig. 3.

l have shown a guard 77 over the wheel G9 supported at the top by the lever 63 and having rollers 78 at the bottom running on the track if depressed.

Although haveJ illustrated and described only two forms of the invention, T am aware of the fact that other modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

Therefore. I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described, but what i. claim is l. lin a toy of the character described7 the combination with a motor casing, of a folding support therefor comprising a plurality said casing and the rest of the arms being pivotally connected therewith on the bottom, an arm opposite the fixed arm being slidable inwardly past the center of the casing into a position adjacent to the fixed arm and the others being adapted to swing into a position substantially parallel with the fixed arm.

2. In a folding toy, the combination with a base, of alplurality of radial arms connected therewith located on the bottom of it for supporting it and spaced around its center, one of said arms being fixed to the base and an opposite arm being slidingly pivoted to the base to move into two positions in one of which it projects from the base in a direction opposite to the fixed arm and in the other of which it projects from the base on the same side as the fixed arm and alongside of it, the rest of the arms being pivoted to the base and capable of moving into a position substantially parallel with the fixed arm and extending from the base in the same direction, for packing purposes.

3. In a toy of the character described, the combination of a base, an arm fixed thereto and projecting` therefrom, said arm extending in a radial direction from the center of the base and having a wall located under the base and extending across it in a substantialiy radial direction, a second arm having mi a longitudinal slot extending substantially throughout the length thereof through which slot it is slidingly pivoted to the base and being adapted to move to two positions, in

one of which it extends from the base opposite the fixed arm and in the other of which it extends from the base along said wall of the fixed arm and on the same side as the fixed arm.

4. In a toy of the character described, the combination of a base. an arm fixed thereto and projecting therefrom in a radial direction and having a wall located under the base and extending across it in a substantially radial direction., a second arm having a longitudinal slot through which slot it is slidingly pivoted to the base. whereby it is adapted to move to two positions, in one of which it extends from the base opposite the fixed arm and in the other of which it extends from the base along said wall of the fixed arm and on the same side as the fixed arm. whereby said arms are adapted to extend from the base radially. other arms pivoted to the base, and a circular track consisting of demountable sections detachably secured to the outer ends of said arms when they are located their radial positions.

5. fn a toy of the character described. the combination with a motor casing, of a foldllO in;r sujport therefor comprisinga plurality otarms, one ot said arms being iixed to said casing and the rest of the arms being pivotally connected therewith on the bottom, onearm located opposite the fixed arm belne slidable inwardly into a position adjacent to the Vfixed arm and the others being adapted to swine; into a position substantially parallel with the ,fixed arm, and a cir cular track consisting` ot a plurality ot sections detachably connected with the ends of said arms.

6. In a toy et the character described, the combination ot a bal e, a pluralitji,7 of arms adapted to radiate therefrom and mounted on the base to be folded into a compact postion thereon tor transportation, a plurality `ol track sections and means on said arms whereby the track sections can be detachably connected with the ends of said arms when in radial position.

7. ln a toy et the character described, the combination ot a base, a plurality of arms radiating therefrom and mounted to be folded into a compact position thereon for transportation, a plurality ot track sections and means on said arms whereby the track sections can be detachably connected with the ends ot said arms when in radial position, one of said arms having means for locking` the adjacent track sections thereto.

8. ln a toy of the character described, the combination of a base, a plurality oi. arms adapted to radiate therefrom and mounted on the base to be folded into a compact position 'thereon for transportation, a plurality of track sections and means on said arms whereby the track sections can be detachably connected with the ends of said arms when in radial position to form a circular track therewith, one of the arms having means for locking the adjacent ends of the track sections to each other.

9. In a toy, the combination of a motor casingand a plurality of arms radiating" therefrom, said arms being slit at their outer ends.y plates projecting therefrom, a series et track sections, each one having a term to lit between the ends of two of said arms and to beheld by said plates, one ot said arms having a pivoted locking* device for securing the adjacent track sections and plates thereto.

l0. In a toy of the character described, the combination with a series Aet radiating arms, et a correponding series et arcuate track sections adapted to tit between the arms so that the track sections and ends of the arms will form a complete circular' track, the arms and track sections being` slit at their ends, and metallic connectors of T- shaped cross-section fitting in said slits tor engaging the arms to hold them together.

l1. In a toy of the character described, the combination with a series of radiating arms, of a corresponding series of arcuate track sections ot the same thickness as said arms adapted to litbctween the arms so that the track sections and ends of the arms will form a complete circular track, the arms and track sections being; slit at their ends, and metallic connectors et shaped cross-section tting in said slits and having end flanges of curved form for engaging the ends ot the arms and the outer surfaces of the track sections to hold them together.

l2. in a toy et the character described, the combination with a series of radiating arms, of a corresponding' series of arcuate track sections adapted to tit between the arms so that the track sections and ends et the arms will form a complete track, the arms and track sections being slit at their ends, and metallic connectors litting in said slits for engaging the arms to hold them together, certain et said metallic connectors being mounted on the arms but one of them being mounted on one et the track sections, the arm -for receivingthe said plate having a locking member.

i3. ln a toy of the character described, the combination ot a ser'es of radiating-arms, a Corresponding series of arcuate track sections of the same thickness vas said arms adapted to lit between the arms so that the t 'ack sections and ends of the arms will Jform a complete circular track, the arms and track sections being slit at their ends, and metallic connecting plates of I'i'shaped cross-section fitting` in said slits and having end flanges of curved form for engaging the ends of the arms and the outer surfaces of the track sections to hold them together, certain of said metallic connecting plates being permanently mounted on the arms but one of them being permanently mounted on one of the track sections, the arm for receiving the said permanently mounted plate having a pivotally mounted locking member adapted to stay in locking position by the engagement of the bottom of said arm with a surface on which the device rests.

l-t. In a toy of the character described, the combination with a series of radiating arms, a corresponding series or" arcuate track sections adapted to fit between the arms to form a comolete circular track, the arms and track sections being slit at their ends, and ,metallic connectors of T-shaped cross-section fitting in said slits and to hold them together, of a toy iig-ure movably supported above the track, a lever pivotally connected with said toy figure and depending therefrom, a supporting` wheel rotatably mounted on the bottom oi the lever and adapted to rest on the track andbe rolled along it, and a link eccentrically connected with said wheel and pivoted to said figure for imparting to the heure an up and down movement as it moves around the track.

15. In a toy of thecharacter described,

itl() the combination with a track, of a wheel adapted to rest on the track and roll along it, a lever on which the wheel is rotatably mounted at its center, a toy figure pivoted to thetop of the lever, a link eccentrically connected with said wheel and pivoted to the figure at a distance from the first named pivot, whereby as the wheel rollsA along the track the toy figure will be given an up and down motion to simulate galloping.

16. In a toy of the character described, the combination with a track, of a wheel adapted to rest on the track and roll around it, a toy iigure, means for supporting the toy figure, a link eccentricaily connected with said wheel and pivoted to the figure, whereby as the wheel rolls around the track the toy figure will be given an up and down motion to simulate galloping, a rod eXtending up from the toy iigure and having a horizontal bar at the upper end, and a second toy figure pivotally mounted on the horizontal bar and free to turn thereon, whereby the second toy figure will be given an oscillating orrotary motion about the bar as a pivot by the up and Clown motion of the first named toy figure.

17. In a toy of the character described, the combination with a track, of a wheel adapted to rest on the track and roll around it, a toy figure pivoted above the wheel, means for giving the toy figure an up and down motion to simulate galloping as the wheel rolls around the track, said toy iigure having a vertical socket mounted thereon, a wire having its bottom end doubled and detachably fitting in said socket and provided with a horizontal bar above the same, and a second toy figure loosely mounted on said horizontal bar.

18. In a toy of the character described, the combination vwith a track, of a wheel adapted to rest on the track and roll around it, a toy figure pivoted above the wheel, a link eccentrically connected with said wheel and pivoted to the figure, whereby as the wheel rolls around `the track the toy figure will be given an up and down motion to simulate galloping, a fastening device connected with the toy figure, and a rotary arm having means for detachably connecting it with said fastening device.

19. In a toy of the character described, the combination with a motor, of an arm connected therewith and adapted to be rotated thereby in a horizontal plane, said arm having an end provided with a perforation, a lever detachably connected with said arm through the perforation, means for locking the lever to the arm, a rollror wheel mounted on the bottom of the lever, and a toy figure pivoted to the upper end of the lever, whereby the rotation of the arm will cause the wheel to roll around in a circle.

20. In a toy of the character described, the combination of a motor and an arm connected therewith to be rotated thereby in a horizontal plane and provided with an end b ent at right angles to its main portion and having a key hole slot therethrough, with a lever having a headed stud adapted to enter the circular portion of the key hole slot and be received in the other portion thereof for detachably connecting the lever with the arm, a wheel mounted on said lever, and a toy figure also mounted on the lever.

21. In a toy of the character described, the combination of a motor and an arm connected therewith to be rotated thereby in a horizontal plane and provided with an end bent at right angles to its main portion and having a key hole slot therethrough, with a lever having a headed stud adapted to enter the circular portion of the key hole slot and be received in the other portion thereof for detachably connecting the lever with the arm, a wheel mounted on said lever, and a toy figure also mounted on the lever, said arm also having projections extending outwardly therefrom on opposite sides of the lever to hold it and provided with a pivoted locking device for engaging the lever to positively lock it in position.

22. In a toy of the character described,

the combination of a motor, a circular track concentrically arranged around the motor,

LORENZO R. CENTERBAR. 

